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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cumberland County
Cumberland County sits within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 89 feet.
Temperatures in Cumberland County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.9 inches.
Cumberland County ran 327 farms, 65,919 acres of farmland, and 2,707 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, sod, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Sandhills |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Hogs, Soybeans, Corn, Vegetables, Tobacco |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Cumberland County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
301 E Mountain Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Cumberland County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Cumberland County, about 2,573 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Cumberland County
Farms in Cumberland County average 202 acres, and about 33% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,469 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cumberland County
Given the operation mix in Cumberland County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations; and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Cumberland County Operations
Based on Cumberland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on soil health improvement in sandy soils and water quality protection near military installations. Support emphasizes sustainable tobacco alternatives and diversified vegetable production for local markets.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Bladen County, North Carolina, Harnett County, North Carolina, Hoke County, North Carolina, Moore County, North Carolina, Robeson County, North Carolina, and Sampson County, North Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cumberland County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the North Carolina guide: North Carolina Farm Programs Guide
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